McDonald: We gave everything

Celtic striker Scott McDonald claimed the Scottish champions ran themselves into the ground before surrendering to a late Ryan Giggs equaliser in their Champions League clash with Manchester United at Parkhead on Wednesday night.

PUBLISHED: PUBLISHED: 09:16, Thu, Nov 6, 2008

Scott McDonald

The Australia international gave the home side the lead in the 13th minute when he lobbed United's stand-in keeper Ben Foster from just inside penalty area, only for Giggs to earn United a point.

"We did drop back and back but we used up a lot of energy, especially the first half." said McDonald. "Everyone put in a shift and if you look at the statistics, I can assure you that the players would have run more than they would have done in a normal SPL game."

McDonald, like boss Gordon Strachan, was glad to have won back some pride after Celtic's comprehensive defeat at Old Trafford last month. And the former Motherwell striker was pleased that his goal earned the point which could help Celtic win a UEFA Cup spot at least, if they beat Aalborg in Denmark in their next group game.

He said: "I think we showed that we can compete at this level. After the first game, people said there was a gulf but at home it seems we can get close to people and compete.

"I don't know if it's the crowd or a mental thing, but Celtic Park is certainly a special place for us.

"It's arguable if that was my best goal but to score it against the European champions certainly puts it up there.

"I had a wee look when the ball came to me and there was only one thing I could do because I couldn't take another touch or I would have been closed down by two or three of them. But I was delighted to see it go in.

"There is a massive incentive at Aalborg in the next game. If we do win then we are in Europe after Christmas so what more (incentive) do you need?"

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